Sevilla winger Navas called up for Spain friendlies

Nov 9, 2009, 12:34 GMT

   Madrid - Sevilla winger Jesus Navas was called up to play for Spain as aprt of a 23-man squad announced on Monday by national manager Vicente del Bosque for upcoming friendlies against Argentina and Austria.

   Navas, 23, has been catching the headlines with Sevilla for four years now but is still uncapped because of anxiety attacks that he frequently sufferes, particularly at the start of each season.

   Last week Navas publicy stated that he was finally ready to play for Spain.

   Spain will face Argentina in Madrid on November 14 and Austria in Vienna on November 18.

   Missing from the squad are injury victims Marcos Senna, Santi Cazorla and Fernando Torres.

   Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has not been called up, despite his excellent form this season and despite a strident campaign on his behalf by the Catalan sports media.

   Nominees:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Reina (Liverpool), Diego Lopez (Villarreal)

   Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Andoni Iraola (Athletic Bilbao), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Gerard Pique (Barcelona)

   Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Xavi (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Pablo Hernandez (Valencia)

   Forwards: David Silva (Valencia), Daniel Guiza (Fenerbahce), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Juan Mata (Valencia), David Villa (Valencia). dpa ds jb Sent via WebAccess by Shaw MEZ 09-11-2009_14:25